Amid growing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, people's movement has suddenly increased for fear the government might shut transport services at any time. Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, when asked about stopping inter-district bus service on Saturday, replied that necessary steps will be taken if needed.
The minister said, “Use of public transport will be gradually decreased if the coronavirus situation gets worse. If required, we will suspend all public transport.” However, if the situation does not improve fast, transport owners fear they will lose daily business in the coming days.
To prevent the lethal virus, the government has temporarily shut down schools, colleges, and universities while most of the companies have asked their employees to work from home. Impact is visible in the roads and highways. Visiting the capital's Sadarghat launch terminal, Kamlapur railway station and several bus terminals, this correspondent found home bound passengers crowding the places. Kalyanpur Hanif Bus counter man Milon said, Already National Travels shut their operation to prevent virus transmission. We are witnessing the pressure.
Visiting Kamalapur and Airport railway station, the train counters of the inter city trains were found overcrowded. As the bus movement from the capital city to Mymensingh and Rajshahi are suspended, people mostly gathered at these two counters. Kamalapur Railway Station manager Aminul Haque said, Passengers have increased suddenly after bus movement was suspended on some routes in the country.
We have taken precautionary measures to halt virus spread at the stations while some voluntary organisations are also working there, he added. Meanwhile, railways minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Saturday said, as public transport and mass gatherings pose a high risk for Covid-19 transmission, the government will consider suspension of bus, train and launch services in the country if the coronavirus situation worsens.
Enayet Ullah, secretary general of Bangladesh Transport Owners' Association, said, Long route passengers now stood at 25 percent to 30 percent. Almost 50 percent of passengers have decreased across the country. If the government takes any decision, we will obey it, he informed.
